These Are the Best Vitamins for Skin, According to Experts

Remember when our parents tried to trick us into taking vitamins with those candy-like things that were shaped after the Flinstones? For many, that was our first foray into the vitamin world. Now that we're older, we're no longer resisting vitamin intake, but opening our arms wide and open to it. We know vitamins are essential not only for our overall health but for our skin as well.

We asked dermatologist Carl Thornfeldt, MD, and dermatologist Neal Schultz, MD, founder of DermTv.com and creator of Beauty Rx by Dr. Schultz, what they consider the best vitamins for skin. They broke down which vitamins work best for acne, dryness, and evening out skin tone. While Thornfeldt had no problem suggesting supplements, Schultz believes that vitamins are most effective in skincare products. So whether you love taking supplements or are strictly a product-only person, we've got options for you.

Vitamin D is important for helping to control acne. Having low amounts of vitamin D weakens your immune system and increases oil production in your skin. "It boosts the immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties, which is important for an acne-fighting regimen," says Thornfeldt. "Although we can receive enough of our daily dose of Vitamin D in only 20 minutes of sun exposure, most individuals are deficient and should be supplementing their diet."

We like this one from Well Told. It contains only three ingredients: mushrooms, spinach, and quinoa. Everything is organic, vegan, and gluten free.

According to Thornfelft, vitamin B6 is another vitamin known to help control acne. While with other supplements, it might be one to two months before you start to notice a difference, he says vitamin B6 works immediately. Try these vitamin B6 supplements from Nature Made. There are no artificial flavors or preservatives; it's actually gluten-free.

According to Schultz, vitamin A palmitate (which is also known as retinyl palmitate and can be turned into retinol), "promotes normal development of the skin's tissue, helps the skin stay soft and plump, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and contains antioxidants." Sounds good to us.

Schultz suggests looking for the ester form of vitamin C, which is neutral compared to normal, acidic vitamin C. This form of the vitamin (also called tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate on some ingredient bottles), evens out skin tone, builds collagen, and, because it is more stable and less acidic, is better absorbed into the skin.

Schultz explains that there are two forms of vitamin E: tocotrienol and tocopherol acetate.

"Tocotrienol is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals," he says. It is also the first line of defense when protecting against the sun's harmful UV rays; it reduces the penetration and absorption of ultraviolet radiation. Tocopheryl acetate is also a potent antioxidant, but it focuses on keeping the skin hydrated.